Autumn is often referred to as fall due to the leaves that fall from the trees during this season. However, it’s critical to ensure that the only things falling are leaves, and not our older loved ones!
According to Canada.ca, falls are the leading source of injuries to older Canadians, with approximately 20-30% of Canadian seniors experiencing at least one fall each year. Although accidental falls can happen during any season, fall and winter are particularly dangerous due to fewer daylight hours and slippery, icy conditions outside.
Injuries resulting from falls can be devastating, not only impacting the person’s physical health but also their emotional well-being. There can be financial consequences as well if injuries affect their productivity. That’s why it’s critical to employ solutions, such as CareHop’s personalized 1:1 in-home activities service, that are designed to directly support fall prevention through tailored exercises.
Why Fall Prevention Matters for Seniors
The impact of falling on one’s physical health can be devastating. Common injuries include hip, wrist, and ankle fractures, sprains, and head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries such as concussions. These injuries can take longer to heal in older people and result in reduced mobility and a loss of independence over the long term.
However, the emotional toll can be heavy as well. Older people who have fallen may reduce or stop doing activities they once enjoyed due to fear of a repeat episode. This situation can lead to boredom or social isolation, which can result in depression.
There can be financial impacts as well, especially if the individual had a revenue stream that’s hampered by their injury. Having less money coming in means going without things they’ve become accustomed to having, such as favourite foods, hobbies, or streaming subscriptions.
Top Causes of Falls in Seniors
Although organizations such as the Ontario Fall Prevention Collaborative offer programs and support concerning fall prevention, family caregivers can help their loved ones avoid falls by understanding what can cause them, such as:
Reduced muscle strength
Many older Canadians, especially those with inactive lifestyles, experience weakening muscles as they get older, making them more prone to falls
Balance issues
Changes in the inner ear, vision problems, and side effects from medication can affect the person’s balance, increasing the risk of falling
Home hazards
Older people, especially those unable to maintain their homes, may trip over hazards such as shoes, boxes, wires, and other clutter
Chronic conditions
Arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and the effects of stroke and heart failure can all affect one’s ability to stand or move safely, increasing the chances of falling
Side effects of medication
Many types of prescription and over-the counter medications can cause dizziness, light-headedness, or muscle weakness, which can lead to falls
Proven Fall Prevention Tips for Families
The best way to prevent an older loved one from falling is by creating a living environment with safeguards and strategies that promote at-home safety. Here are some tips to help your family member live safely:
Get more physically active
Regular physical exercise will help your loved one strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and improve balance. Have them try tai chi, yoga, and simple resistance exercises that will boost their confidence and stability when moving.
CareHop’s In-Home 1:1 Activities service provides older adults with safe, low-impact physical activities that help boost physical and emotional well-being while enhancing strength and balance to help lower the risk of falls.
Modify the home for safety
Remove all slip and fall hazards from their home, including clutter (especially in walking areas), lamp and extension cords, and loose rugs. You can also install lighting to help your loved one navigate their space safely, as well as safety equipment such as grab bars, higher toilet seats, a shower chair, and non-slip bathtub adhesives to improve safety in the bathroom. If their home has an upstairs floor, try to have the person live only on the main floor so they never have to use the stairs.
Wear proper footwear indoors and out
Encourage your loved one to stop going barefoot or in stocking feet indoors, and ensure they wear well-fitted, supportive indoor and outdoor shoes that provide good traction and stability. Flip flops or shower shoes with treads should be worn in the shower as well. Slip-on sneakers with good treads for outdoor use are also recommended.
Review all medications
Talk to your loved one’s doctor or pharmacist to identify medications that impact balance or cognition. They may be able to adjust dosages or switch to safer alternatives that minimize the risk of adverse side effects that can lead to falls.
Keep up with medical checkups
Accompany your loved one to their regular checkups with their healthcare team. Vision problems, diminished hearing, cardiovascular issues, and neurological disorders can affect balance and mobility, so timely management of any issues can help decrease the risk of falls.
Maintain a healthy meal plan
Ensure they eat a diet rich in nutrients, particularly calcium and vitamin D, that promote bone health and strength to help prevent fractures if they fall. Hydration is also vital for mental acuity, muscle strength, and to prevent delirium.
Stay socially engaged
Social engagement is also crucial to helping mitigate the risk of falls, as participating in groups or getting together with friends encourages physical activity and mental stimulation, both of which are important to keeping balanced.
You can also arrange for a professional home safety audit to help enhance the safety of your loved one’s home. At CareHop, we would be happy to support you with tips that help your family member maintain their independence and quality of life. We can also introduce you to our 1:1 in-home activities program that will help keep them active, happy, healthy, and engaged while minimizing the risk of falls.
How Our 1:1 In-Home Activities Helps Prevent Falls
Our professionally trained and compassionate team is happy to come to your loved one’s home to deliver safe, engaging, and meaningful movement, creativity, and connection with personalized 1-on-1 programming.
The simple, low-impact program includes chair yoga, chair fit, fitness, stretch and strength training, walk fit, arts and crafts, and much more. Our goal is to create safe routines that help your loved one stay active and healthy while improving strength, balance, and energy.
When to Consider Professional Home Nursing Help
If your loved one has already fallen or had a close call, shows signs of unsteadiness, weakness, or frequent dizziness, or has a progressive chronic condition that hampers mobility, your family would benefit from professional support from the qualified eldercare experts at CareHop.
Our support team can work on a full- or part-time basis, or as a respite solution when your family caregivers are feeling overwhelmed and need extra support.
No matter your family’s situation, we’re here to help.
Quality In-Home Elder Care Services in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and Brampton
CareHop specializes in providing safe, professional eldercare services, including on-demand Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and assistance with physical activities whenever you need it.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation discussion to discover how we can help you with safe, cost-effective eldercare solutions.
